2011 MHSAA Team District/Regional Preview
---DIVISION 1---
By Steve Widzinski
Michigan Grappler HS Analyst
steve@michigangrappler.com
2/9/2011
The road to Battle Creek will begin this Wednesday when the
MHSAA Team Districts get underway all across the state and
in just under three weeks from now the Division 1, 2, 3, and 4
Team State Champions will be crowned
Below you will find our breakdown of each Team Regional in
Division 1, as well as the notable District level matchups to
look for. In addition, we have predicted who to expect to see
in Battle Creek in a couple weeks.
Following the Team Regionals check back for our detailed
State Tournament preview!
Division 1 Outlook:
Defending state champion Detroit Catholic Central came into
the season as favorites to repeat in Division 1 and so far every
indicator points that they are well on their way. The
Shamrocks have had a great deal of success over the course
of the year against one of the state’s toughest schedules.
However, over the course of the season a talented pack of
teams has emerged who appear capable of reaching the
finals and competing with top ranked DCC.
Parity has been high in Division 1 where Davison, Oxford, Hartland, Temperance Bedford and others have all looked very impressive at times and have a chance to be successful at the state meet. The Division 1 race will start with a very tough round of district matches that will end some good teams seasons very early. By far the marquee early matchup will take place in Oxford where #2 Davison will wrestle #3 Oxford in a showdown between two of the state’s top teams. In addition to that match up, other top Division 1 teams including Temperance Bedford and Brighton will have very tough match ups early into the postseason. Expect to see some great district wrestling in Division 1 with the potential for a few big upsets.
Notable District Matchups:
No. 105-1 at Oxford
#2 Davison, #3 Oxford, Grand Blanc
The best district matchup in the state will take place in Oxford on Wednesday when the host Wildcats take on second ranked Davison. This will be a rematch from the first week of the season when Davison shocked the Wildcats, defeating them by a score of 34-31. Both teams have improved greatly over the season and are legitimate title contenders. Whoever wins this dual should advance to the state meet where they will likely be a high seed. Expect this to be one of the year’s best duals with both squads wrestling with high stakes.
No. 113-1 at Brownstown-Woodhaven
#5 Temperance Bedford, Brownstown-Woodhaven, Monroe
One of the deepest districts in the state will take place at Brownstown Woodhaven where fifth ranked Temperance Bedford will receive a tough early test. Monroe and Brownstown Woodhaven have both spent time in the top ten this year and could pose a serious threat to the Mules. Expect Monroe and Woodhaven to compete hard and create a serious challenge for Bedford.
No. 112-1 at Pinckney
#6 Brighton, Howell, Pinckney, Ann Arbor Skyline
Brighton has been one of the most improved teams this year in Division 1 and comes into the postseason ranked sixth. The Bulldogs will be put to the test early when they take on local rival Howell at districts. Howell has some excellent individuals and if they can get the right matchups they could be able to make this a very close dual.
No. 129-1 at Macomb-Dakota
Clinton Twsh Chippewa Valley, Macomb Dakota, L'Anse Creuse North, Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse
In the Macomb Dakota district the host Cougars will likely wrestle Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse in the finals in what should be a pretty competitive dual. Both teams had good showing at the Macomb County tournament earlier this year and have had some dual meet success over the course of the season. Who ever can come out on top in this district should have a good chance of winning the wide-open Anchor Bay Region.
Regional Breakdown
Following a very competitive district round, intensity will stay high at regionals in Division 1 which features several very competitive matchups as few wide open regions where many teams could have a chance to emerge. If #6 Brighton can get past Howell at districts they will have another big test waiting for them at regionals where they will likely take on #7 Holt. This should be one of the most balanced and exciting regional matchups in Division 1 with both teams battling for a spot in Battle Creek. One regional that should be quite open for the taking will be in Anchor Bay where a large number of teams will be right in the mix to advance. Among the many contenders include L’Anse Creuse, Anchor Bay, Rochester and Macomb Dakota. However no region is more wide open than Roseville. In the Roseville region there are very few teams who have had great dual meet success this year, and it is a true mystery who will step up in the postseason and earn a spot in Battle Creek.
Here is a breakdown of what teams will be battling out at each regional for a shot at advancing to the D1 Team State Finals in Battle Creek.
101-1 at Rockford
Top contenders: Hudsonville, Jenison, Rockford
Outlook: This is not a particularly challenging regional and coming in it appears several teams should be in the mix to win it. Hudsonville has spent a lot of time in the Division 1 rankings this year and if they can get past Jenison at districts they should be a top contender to win this region. Traditional power Rockford has been a bit down this year, however the Rams should be very capable of gearing up for the postseason and winning here. Grandville and Grand Haven are also teams who have looked good at times this year and could have a shot to compete for a regional title.
Our Pick: Hudsonville
102-1 at Saginaw Heritage
Top Contenders: #2 Davison, #3 Oxford, Saginaw Heritage, Midland Dow, Midland, Bay City Western
Outlook: Following the heavily anticipated Oxford vs Davison matchup at districts, the winner should have a relatively easy road through regionals. After Davison and Oxford this is not a particularly strong region and there should be several different teams who could reach the finals. Midland, Midland Dow and Bay City Western are all pretty evenly matched and whoever can emerge from their district will be a likely finals opponent for the winner of Oxford vs Davison.
Our Pick: Oxford
103-1 at Holt
Top Contenders: #6 Brighton, #7 Holt, #10 Grand Ledge, Howell
Outlook: The Holt regional should feature several strong squads and could be one of the most competitive regions in the state amongst all divisions with three ranked squads colliding. #6 Brighton will have a tough road just to get to the finals here as they will have to get by Howell at districts and will most likely wrestle against #10 Grand Ledge in the regional semifinal. If the Bulldogs can get past these tough foes they will wrestle #7 Holt in the finals in what should be a great matchup with the winner going on to Battle Creek.
Our Pick: Brighton
104-1 at Southgate Anderson
Top Contenders: 5 Temperance Bedford, #9 Southgate Anderson, Brownstown Woodhaven, Monroe
Outlook: Fifth ranked Temperance Bedford should face a tough challenge at districts where they will take on tough squads from Brownstown Woodhaven and Monroe. If the Mules can advance past districts regionals they will have another tough test waiting for them at regionals where they should take on #9 Southgate Anderson. Southgate had been impressive all year and could have the potential to pull an upset here. Bedford will need to be healthy and ready to go if they are going to reach the state meet as they face one of the toughest roads of the Top 5.
Our Pick: Temperance Bedford
105-1 at Roseville
Top Contenders: Roseville, Brother Rice, Fraser
Outlook: With out a doubt Division 1’s weakest regional, the Roseville region is truly up for grabs. While there are several teams here with strong individuals, none have been able to have consistent dual meet success this year. Teams such as Roseville, Brother Rice and Fraser all could have a chance to take advantage of this weak regional and earn a trip to Battle Creek.
Our Pick: Roseville
106-1 at Canton
Top Contenders: #1 Detroit Catholic Central, #8 Canton, Livonia Franklin
Outlook: Top ranked Detroit Catholic Central should cruise to regionals where they will likely take on eighth-ranked Canton. Canton has put together a solid year and has several excellent individuals. However, DCC is one of Michigan’s elite teams and a win here for Canton would be a huge upset.
Our Pick: Detroit Catholic Central
107-1 at Hartland
Top Contenders: #4 Hartland, Clarkston
Outlook: Hartland has taken great strides over the course of the year and comes into the postseason looking very strong. The Eagles are currently ranked fourth in Division 1 and will be heavily favored to win this regional. One possible challenge for the Eagles here could from Clarkston. The Wolves have been inconsistent all year but have looked very good at times including a 36-36 criteria loss to #5 Temperance Bedford. If Clarkston is healthy they will have a chance to be competitive with Hartland.
Our Pick - Hartland
108-1 at Anchor Bay
Top Contenders: Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, Rochester, Romeo, Macomb Dakota, Anchor Bay, Port Huron Northern
Outlook: This should be another very wide-open region that will provide a large number of teams with an opportunity to earn a spot at the state meet. Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse should meet with Macomb Dakota at districts and the winner of that dual will be a favorite to advance here. Rochester is another team who has put together a nice season and is a candidate to win this region. Romeo, Anchor Bay and Port Huron Northern are other tough squads who will be in the mix.
Our Pick: Harrison Twnship Lanse Creuse
State Finals Outlook:
Following some excellent district and regional matchups excitement should continue at the Division 1 state meet with should feature some fantastic quarterfinal and semifinal action. Defending champion Detroit Catholic Central has been dominant all year long and should be the top seed. After the Shamrocks Davison/Oxford and Hartland should be the easy choices for getting the second and third seed, while the fourth seed will likely go to Bedford, Brighton or Holt.
Going into the Division 1 quarterfinals there is a good chance that the winner of the Holt vs Brighton regional matchup will be unseeded. Both of these teams are very good and with the right draw should have a chance to advance to the semifinals. On the lower half of the bracket, Hartland will probably meet with the winner of Oxford vs Davison in an excellent semifinals match. All three of these teams are extremely capable of winning and reaching the finals.
On the other side of the bracket top ranked Detroit Catholic Central should get a good test in the semifinals where they could potentially see Bedford, Brighton or Holt. All of these teams will provide a good challenge for the Shamrocks who should advance to the finals where they will likely square off with Oxford, Davison or Hartland. While there is no denying that DCC is the favorite, the competition in Division 1 is strong and DCC will need a big team effort to repeat as state champions.
District/Regional Pairings
Districts - Feb 9-10, 2011
Regionals - Feb 16, 2011
No. 101-1 Traverse City West
Traverse City Central
Rockford
Traverse City West
No. 102-1 Muskegon-Mona Shores
Grand Haven
Holland-West Ottawa
Muskegon
Muskegon-Mona Shores
No. 103-1 Grandville
Grand Rapids-Union
Grandville
Hudsonville
Jenison
No. 104-1 Caledonia
East Kentwood
Caledonia
Grand Rapids-Forest Hills Central
No. 105-1 Oxford
#3 Oxford
Grand Blanc
#2 Davison
No. 106-1 Swartz Creek
Flint-Carman-Ainsworth
Flint Northern
Swartz Creek
Flushing
No. 107-1 Bay City-Central
Bay City-Central
Saginaw
Saginaw-Heritage
No. 108-1 Auburn-Bay City Western
Alpena
Auburn-Bay City Western
Midland
Midland-HH Dow
No. 109-1 Battle Creek-Lakeview
Battle Creek-Central
Kalamazoo Central
Battle Creek-Lakeview
Portage Central
No. 110-1 Grand Ledge
East Lansing
#10 Grand Ledge
Lansing-Everett
No. 111-1 Jackson
#7 Holt
Jackson
Okemos
No. 112-1 Pinckney
Ann Arbor-Skyline
Howell
Pinckney
#6 Brighton
No. 113-1 Brownstown-Woodhaven
Brownstown Township-Woodhaven
Monroe
#5 Temperance-Bedford
No. 114-1 Saline
Ann Arbor-Huron
Ann Arbor-Pioneer
Saline
Ypsilanti-Lincoln
No. 115-1 Westland-John Glenn
Westland-John Glenn
Inkster
Wayne Memorial
No. 116-1 Wyandotte-Roosevelt
Belleville
Lincoln Park
#9 Southgate Anderson
Wyandotte-Roosevelt
No. 117-1 Grosse Pointe North
Eastpointe-East Detroit
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
Roseville
No. 118-1 Warren-Cousino
Warren-Cousino
Warren-De La Salle Collegiate
Fraser
Sterling Heights
No. 119-1 Warren Mott
Detroit-U Of D Jesuit
Royal Oak
Warren Mott
No. 120-1 Bloomfield Hills-Brother Rice
Beverly Hills-Wylie E Groves
Bloomfield Hills-Brother Rice
Lathrup Village-Southfield-Lathrup
No. 121-1 Salem
Salem
Livonia-Churchill
Plymouth
#8 Canton
No. 122-1 Garden City
Dearborn-Edsel Ford
Garden City
Dearborn-Fordson
Dearborn
No. 123-1 Southfield
Southfield
Livonia-Adlai E Stevenson
Farmington
Livonia-Franklin
No. 124-1 Northville
Northville
Novi
#1 Novi-Detroit Catholic Central
No. 125-1 West Bloomfield
Walled Lake Western
West Bloomfield
Farmington Hills-North Farmington
Walled Lake Central
No. 126-1 Lake Orion
Lake Orion
Pontiac
Troy
Rochester-Adams
No. 127-1 Waterford Kettering
Waterford Kettering
Clarkston
Waterford Mott
No. 128-1 White Lake-Lakeland
Highland-Milford
#4 Hartland
Commerce-Walled Lake Northern
White Lake-Lakeland
No. 129-1 Macomb Dakota
Chippewa Vallley
Lanse Creuse
Macomb Dakota
Lanse Creuse North
No. 130-1 Utica Ford
Utica
Troy Athens
Sterling Heights Sevenson
Utica Ford
No. 131-1 Romeo
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
Rochester Hills - Rochester
Utica Eisenhower
Romeo
No. 132-1 Port Huron Northern
Port Huron
Port Huron Northern
Anchor Bay
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-------------------------ROCKFORD REGIONAL
-------------------------SAGINAW HERITAGE REGIONAL
-------------------------HOLT REGIONAL
---------------------------SOUTHGATE ANDERSON REGIONAL
-------------------------ROSEVILLE REGIONAL
-------------------------CANTON REGIONAL
-------------------------HARTLAND REGIONAL
-------------------------ANCHOR BAY REGIONAL
Off and Running- Ken Bade and #1 ranked DCC are on the hunt for a repeat D1 State Title. Photo/Gary Williams.
